Review: Demon Knights #3

It's a testament to how fast paced Demon Knights has felt that this issue felt like a bit of a breather. Sure, people may have been dragged to hell, heraldic dragons may have been dodged, and the enemy may have upped the ante, but this issue still took things slowly compared to last month's dragon slicing delight. While I always enjoy a rollicking good action scene, it was nice to get a better understanding of characters like Vandal Savage and Shining Knight. I have already gotten sick of double checking how to spell Exoristos' name, but she's growing on me more and more with each issue, and I suspect she'll be a favorite of mine before long. At times, Demon Knights feels like the truest team book on the stands. Paul Cornell seems to really appreciate why people enjoy team books so much, and does a great job handling the character balancing act.

One of the things that I've loved about Demon Knights from the start is its sense of fun, and while that's still there, I felt as though there was a little more harshness to this issue. I realize that's a silly thing to say about a book that blew up a baby halfway through its #1, but it's more about how these moments felt then what they were. No one reading this issue will be forgetting that Etrigan is a demon anytime soon, and people may regard seemingly sweet moments with a lot more suspicion. I don't expect the sacrifice Madame Xanadu made to last, but that she was willing to make it all the same is a pretty impressive moment for her character. Of course, given her duplicitous nature, there could be more to her actions than what we readers have seen. I appreciate that our villains, while very evil, don't seem to be stock characters or fools set up to fail against our characters. However, that probably means that there will be plenty more loss and bloodshed before this battle is through.

I'm becoming more and more curious about how Cornell will keep this crew together once they're no longer stuck protecting this town. None of them are really the team type- I think that's kind of the point- and there definitely hasn't been anything in the way of cliched bonding moments. Right now, I can only envision them sticking together if they're dropped headfirst from one adventure to the next in a sort of neverending cycle. I can't say I'd mind reading about that, but it'll be interesting to see if the book goes in that direction or comes up with a different sort of solution. I would like to see more friendships develop between the book's cast, even if they're screwed up, twisted ones.

The detail in Diogenes Neves' work continues to blow me away with every issue. He works in so many subtle moments that make the book a more entertaining read, from the reactions in the background of one of Vandal Savage's rousing speeches to the perfectly designed Madame Xanadu doll that Mordru clutches. His facial expressions have been great from the beginning, but for me, this issue is the best they've ever been, with nearly every character showcasing a wide range of emotions. He's the perfect match for Cornell's style of writing, and I hope these two keep working together in the future. Likewise, Marcelo Maiolo and Oclair Albert do beautiful work here. It's just a great creative team all around.

Once again, I urge any and all fans of team books to pick up Demon Knights, regardless of their feelings about fantasy tales. It may not have a member of the Batfamily, but that doesn't mean it can't give Justice League a run for its money. As always, in honor of Etrigan, this review will conclude with a rhyme:

Just as things begin to look futile
Demon Knights #3 gets even more brutal
Etrigan has a chance to show his wrath
And comes off looking like a psychopath
But there are still plenty of smiles to be found 
And Vandal Savage is almost profound

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Batwoman #3

Batwoman can be a challenging series to review. The art is so overwhelming that it can be hard to look at the comic as a whole instead of focusing on that one beautiful piece. I was so sucked in by this issues dreamlike underwater pages that I lost all interest in turning the page. All I wanted to do was watch the way the water flowed from panel to panel, to admire the details JH Williams III had hidden at the bottom of the river. But somewhere along the way, the hold the art had on me was broken, and the plot is what garnered the bulk of my appreciation. While I've enjoyed the first two issues, I think Batwoman #3 is the best storywise so far.

One of the reasons we admire heroes, superpowered or not, is their bravery, their strength in the worst moments. They don't break down when normal people would, which makes the moments when we do see them drowning in their troubles and responsibilities that much more powerful. I doubt as we'll see Kate as vulnerable as she was in those panels with Maggie anytime soon, but that's what makes it special. Being reminded that masked heroes are still human, that they have cracks in their armor, makes the things they accomplish all that more impressive.

La Llorona, Cameron Chase, and even Maggie Sawyer fell into the background as Williams gave us a wonderful Kate Kane character study. Kate doesn't wear her angst on her sleeve the way Batman often does, and I think it's easy to forget how tortured she really is. Jake Kane's appearance in the issue was a brief one, but more than ever, you could feel how much the separation from her father is killing Kate. For years, they only had each other, and being apart from him when she's emotionally torn apart must be brutal. I miss the two of them together, and I want to hope for a reconciliation, but it's hard to see how Kate will forgive the Colonel when her pain over what happened to Beth is still so raw.

Kate's words may have been harsh, but I think it's fair to point out that Bette doesn't really have a reason for fighting. Bette was a forgotten character for years, but her old origin essentially had her training to become a hero because she wanted to impress/stalk Robin. As much as she might like Bette, that has to sting for someone like Kate, who fights because she absolutely needs to. I hope that their falling out gives Bette some more depth. I always like seeing her, but I don't think she's a compelling character on her own yet. The pages with her donning her Flamebird suit were absolutely stunning, and even though I'm not expecting this to lead to something good, it was a cool little moment for the character.

This issue picked up directly from where the last one left off, and ended on a cliffhanger, but in many ways, it felt like a standalone issue. If someone asks me where to start with Batwoman, I'll always recommend Elegy, but I can easily see myself handing this issue over to someone I want to hook. It's not the action piece I was expecting- it's just a look into one night of Batwoman's life, and sometimes that can lure in readers to way an introductory story can't. Some plot points might be hard to make sense of if you haven't been following the series, but Kate's pain is something any reader should be able to understand.

When I talk about what makes Batwoman great, I often focus on the art, and maybe that's a mistake. The art is breathtaking, but Kate's story is exceptional too, and it would be no matter who was drawing her.  Loss is a common theme in comic book back stories, but the way loss is used in Kate's tale feels somewhat unique. She's dealt with tragedy, found a purpose, and had that purpose stripped away from her. When she found a purpose once again, all her wounds from her past were reopened, and this issue proves they've never really had a chance to heal. There's something intensely relatable in all that, and it's a huge part of why I love Batwoman as much as I do. As always, I urge anyone who isn't familiar with Batwoman to give the character a chance. Whether you begin with Elegy or start right here, you're in for something special.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

In the first issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws we’re introduced to Red Hood (former Batman sidekick Jason Todd), Arsenal (not yet code named in the new DCU Roy Harper, former Green Arrow sidekick, though that’s never explicitly stated either), and Starfire (Exiled alien Princess Koriand’R). They’re not a team but Red Hood & Arsenal have worked together before, and Arsenal has worked with Starfire before. They’re all on the fringe of the superhero community, though we’re not directly told why (their willingness to kill is likely a cause).

They don’t exactly get along, but they don’t necessarily hate each other either, despite how they act. They’re like siblings or college roommates, kind of thrown together by circumstance, not always liking it, but going with it, at least for now.

The issue opens with a flashback to Jason Todd’s introduction to the All Caste, a mystic group of martial artists who exist in a place that may not be in this universe/dimension/plane of reality. He’s brought there by Talia al Ghul for training. She hopes to calm his rage and teach him the discipline he seems to lack since returning from the dead. This is a great sequence because it simultaneously adds to the Jason Todd story long time readers know while still being able to stand on its own for new readers. Plus he gets his ass handed to him by a tiny old lady.

Don’t patronize other dimensional old ladies. No matter how tiny they are, they’re always ninjas.

Turns out Talia believes in Jason’s potential, and as is typical for all DC martial artists, he needs to spend a lot of time with a secret cabal of monk-ninjas. As stereotypical as this plot devise is, it still works. Not only does the long, extensive training increase believability that a non-powered human can fight in a superhuman world, it also gives credence to Jason being the leader of the group.

Skip ahead and Jason and Roy are on a plane to find out what’s happened to the All Caste. Scott Lobdell does a good job of playing up the banter between the two. They’re clearly friends no matter what they say. His dialog isn’t quite Whedon good, but it’s a fun dynamic and definitely adds to the story. This is played up even more when they meet up with Kori and Roy tries to bring up the sexual tension that he’s apparently the only one to feel/acknowledge.

We cut to a safehouse of Jason’s where he’s ‘surprised’ by something ugly who he has some kind of history with.

Something UGLY!!

This scene is both confusing and not. Obviously it’s designed to show that Jason A) probably has enemies everywhere, B) sets the stage for future retribution (RE: Plots), C) is always prepared and therefore a D) Badass. Which it does. However it also seems to be out of nowhere and somewhat throws the issue off.

Cut to the ‘still not a team’ of Red Hood & Arsenal jumping out of a plane, being met by Starfire, and finding their way through the holographic/portal opening to the All Caste. We find out the All Caste have all been killed, something that is actually upsetting to Jason. I have to say, it’s a mark to Lobdell’s characterization of Jason that as a reader I can both tell how upsetting these deaths are to him while simultaneously realizing that this is a rare expression of emotion for the character.

The ensuing battle is great for a number of reasons. The action is brutal and swift. The characters fight in distinct ways and yet work well together as a team. It can easily be missed in other team books when each hero simply attacks with whatever their power is (aka everyone shoot at once). Lobdell & Rocafort do an excellent job of blending the action to show teamwork. And the art is wonderful.

Kenneth Rocafort is handling both pencils and inks and it shows in the best way. He has a great handle on these characters and his depiction of their facial expressions goes a long ways to showcase their emotions and feelings throughout the book. And his inks are ultra detailed for close up shots and more subdued for distance shots. His style reminds me a lot of cinema, in that sense. I also am a big fan of how he plays around with the layouts. It’s similar to what J.H. Williams III is doing on Batwoman, while remaining unique and true to this story.

I love the group dynamic both in and out of battle. They’re fun, precise, and play off each other perfectly. This ‘team’ clearly works well together and I’m very much excited to see where they go next.

By Kephus with No comments

Review: O.M.A.C. #3

When reading O.M.A.C. #3, it occurred to me just why I love this comic so much. My love for Jack Kirby has more than a little to do with it, but what I think really gets me is the similarity to Japanese tokusatsu shows. They both have transformations, over the top heroes and villains, a heaping helping of silliness, and of course, wonderfully fun action scenes. Toku is something I think comics could stand to take some cues from, and it's great to see O.M.A.C. doing just that, even if it isn't intentional.

New characters and concepts are introduced at a neck breaking speed throughout the issue. From the terrifically fun Checkmate Elite to the surprisingly powerful Psi-Fi Man, O.M.A.C. throws out ideas in at a rate few comics do. The rapid pace would feel overwhelming in a lot of comics, but there's a simplicity at O.M.A.C.'s core that really makes this work. I often get frustrated when comics don't spend much time on something I find interesting, but jumping from idea to idea feels natural to O.M.A.C. If the book sticks around, I imagine we'll get some kind of big bad, but I hope we still keep getting peeks at wacky henchmen and crazy future tech. O.M.A.C. just wouldn't feel right if it was too focused on one thing.

But in spite of all the new content, this issue didn't measure up to the last one for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm still having a blast with O.M.A.C., but I think some aspects of the book are losing their impact for me. I was excited by what was truly new, but O.M.A.C. himself is becoming less interesting to me. There was some focus on Kevin's relationship with Brother Eye here, and I really hope that we see some kind of shake-up soon. Kevin has the potential to be a likable, engaging character, but it hasn't been tapped yet. Right now, I'm more entertained by everything around him than I am by anything he's done, and I think the book would be much more involving if I had a stronger attachment to him. So much about O.M.A.C. is impermanent, and I want Kevin to be the constant.

Keith Giffen's artwork is absolutely essential to the book, and it's only been improving with each issue. I've spent a lot of time talking about how effectively use channels Kirby's style, but there's plenty to love here that's pure Giffen. The composition of his pages is spectacular, and every panel is full of energy. One of my favorite things about his work is how much fun most of the characters look like they're having. Even O.M.A.C., who is always completely focused on the task at hand, seems to gain some pleasure from throwing his punches. It's little details like that that keep the constant action interesting. I really enjoy the book's dialogue, but the story Giffen tells with his art would hold up without a single word.

O.M.A.C. #3 isn't quite as entertaining as the issues that came before, but it's still a great send-up to comics of old. This issue probably won't pick up any new fans for the comic, but it's good enough that those who were already enjoying it should stick with it. I'm hoping O.M.A.C. can keep all its eccentric charm, but finds something that will attract new readers as well. I'm having a lot of fun reading O.M.A.C., but it's time for the comic to do a little more.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Stormwatch #3

Don't get me wrong, I've been thoroughly enjoying Stormwatch.It has terrific characters, it always makes me laugh, and the characters have gone up against some pretty interesting threats. But until now, I've thought a lot of the book's greatness was in its potential. You could see where the book might be going, it looked pretty fun, and there was plenty to entertain along the way. But this? This is the first issue that really begins to realize the potential of this new comic. It's exactly what I've hoped Stormwatch would be from the very start, and it was so much fun to finally be able to read it.

This issue was packed full of cosmic fun, dynamic action scenes, crowning moments of awesome, and still had all the great character banter and concepts that the first two issues did. Looking back, you can see how Paul Cornell was building to some of these moments, and the payoff is terrific. From seeing Apollo really let loose to finally seeing some moon versus the world action, Stormwatch #3 was crammed full of the stuff I'd wanted to read about from the moment this book was announced. It would've benefited from a little more Martian Manhunter, but it still told a ton of story for the page count. This is the first time I think I've been even more excited by the comic this was than the comic that it's going to be.

\I lamented the lack of Jack Hawksmoor last issue, but that was more than made up for with some of the incredible moments we got here. Actually seeing Jack communicate with the physical manifestations of cities like Metropolis and Gotham left me fascinated by his powers and dying to see more of them. Henry Tanner was a source of entertainment in the last two issues, but his reveal here has me thrilled about the new addition to the Stormwatch crew, and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what he'll do next. Genuine surprises is comics are rare, and I honestly did not see what he had coming. I have the feeling the Eminence of Blades isn't going to be an easy one to predict.

I'm beginning to think Adam One is hiding some pretty big secrets. In the early issues I could write off his behavior as having to do with his laid back personality, but it feels like something deeper here. If a character has century upon century of knowledge and experience and isn't drawing upon it at all, I'm inclined to think there's something going on between the scenes. What I really love about Stormwatch is how much time I spend thinking about it after each read. My documents folder is full of wordpad files containing comic book theories, and the Stormwatch one is already massive. Even if I don't get any of this right, it's an absolutely blast to think about.

Miguel Sepulveda is once again handling the art duties of the book solo, and his work on the title continues to improve. It helps that so much of the comic is cosmic- this is where Sepulveda really shines, and he gets plenty of chances to show off his monster drawing skills as well. The action scene near the end of the book was pitch perfect, and the his rendition of Moscow in the book's opening panel was beautiful. Cornell really asked a lot of  Sepulveda's imagination here, and he absolutely delivered. While Alex Sinclair continues to work as a colorist on the book, he's now joined by Pete Pantazis. I slightly prefer the way the previous issue's colors looked, but it's still solid work, with some really beautiful textures and detailing.

If you weren't completely sold on Stormwatch's first issue, now's the time to give the book a second look. Every issue so far has been better than the one that cames before, and this is the one that where everything really comes together. Stormwatch is a fun book that makes perfect use of its off color cast of characters, and I feel like it satisfies a wide variety of my comic book cravings. It's a team book, it's got humor, it's cosmic, and it never fails to be intriguing. It's not a comic for everyone, but it's one I continue to recommend.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Legion: Secret Origin #1

My Legion flight ring is of surprisingly decent quality. I expected the gold paint to look a lot yellower in person, but it has a nice metallic sheen to it and looks a little more expensive than the free lantern rings did. It's way too big to fit around my tiny child fingers, but I can wedge it in between my fingers long enough to get out a cry of "Long live the Legion!", and it looks nice on a chain. It's definitely worth spending the $2.99 if your local comic shop is participating in the giveaway.

I'm a little less enthused about the comic that came along with it. I don't think Secret Origins is a bad comic, and I think there are a lot of people who it will appeal to, but I don't think I'm one of them. I've been trying to stick with Legion Lost, and have actually been enjoying the main Legion of Superheroes title, but for the most part, I found this one to be dull. I enjoyed Brainiac 5 largely because of my pre-existing love for the character, and Phantom Girl was the only character who really jumped off the page for me. We hear about these characters, but we don't get any moments that allow us to really connect with them. In a 6 issue series, I think it's important to have that right from the start.

The comic opens with a bit of backstory that begs to be read in a deep, boomy voice. It looks like we're about to get a nice action scene, but the action is already over and done with, and we get an exposition heavy conversation instead. I started to get interested when Brainiac 5 showed up, but we got more narration instead. There's a foiled assassination attempt that's less interesting than it has any right to be, and more of that exposition laden dialogue. We do get one wonderful Brainy and Phantom Girl scene, but it's over all too quickly. By the end of the issue, we've gotten even more exposition, seen plenty of Legion's trademark character introduction boxes and what looks like the start of the team.

Most of my limited Legion knowledge comes from Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes, and I really think a deeper knowledge of the Legion would've increased my appreciation for this book. This is a tweaking of the previous Legion origin, and I think a lot of what makes this book intriguing comes from seeing what's different and wondering why. This might be a great read for readers who already know and love these characters, but this issue doesn't do much to sell what makes the Legion great. I can see this being a good story in trade, but right now I don't have any interest in seeing what happens next month.

This is the rare occasion when I think readers will be pleasantly surprised by how the art looks in comparison to the cover. Chris Batista's done a lot of Legion work in the past, and his familiarity with the characters really helps here. He gets in some nice facial expressions, and does a great job handling the Legion-verse's futuristic tech. Phantom Girl has sported some of the Legion's goofiest costumes, and it's nice to see her looking so classy. I'm not sure if he had a hand in updating the Legion costumes, but either way, they look terrific. There are some interesting reoccurring elements that really give you a sense of what style is like in the 31st century. It's clear a lot of thought was put into these changes.

This is the most accessible Legion title by far, and it's a shame that I don't really feel like I can recommend it on its own. It's worth picking up if you can get the ring to go with it, but otherwise, I think this one is just for the Legion die-hards. I'm dropping this one for now, but I plan on looking into it again once the story concludes. Hopefully, it'll make for a better introduction to the Legion when you can read it all in one go.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Justice League Dark #2

The magic side of the DCU is my sweet spot, and the first issue of Justice League Dark hit it full force. From showing off what made some of my favorite characters great to introducing a truly terrifying supernatural threat, the first issue of the comic delivered a great story and showed a lot of promise for issues to come. It goes without saying that I was only expecting bigger and better things from issue 2. The solicit mentioned world destruction. The cover promised Zatanna and Constantine burning witches. How could it be anything but awesome?

While Justice League Dark #2 lacked the witch burning featured on the cover, it was still a thoroughly entertaining comic. It looks like we're getting into some of the things Peter Milligan really excels at here- screwed up relationship dynamics, unexpected plot twists, and some really terrific character work. I missed seeing Shade the Changing Man this issue, but characters like Deadman, Dawn Granger, and John Constantine made great use of their increased panel time. In many ways, the conflict between Deadman and Dove was the driving force behind the issue, and there were some big developments for other members of the book's cast. I'm still anxious to see the whole team assembled together, but I don't mind the process being drawn back as long as we keep getting great character moments. Everyone but the yet to be seen Mindwarp has had a chance to shine, and I'm sure he'll get his spotlight soon.

Once again, the art by Mikel Janin is absolutely fantastic. His facial expressions are especially strong- he really helped sell Dawn's hurt, frustration and anger throughout the course of a book, and the little smirk that a bloodied Constantine wore tells readers just what they need to know about the character. The twisted spread near the beginning of the book is incredibly detailed, and I spent a long time looking at the destruction littered across the page. Milligan asks for a lot from Janin here, requiring him both the sweet and the gruesome, and Janin always delivers. Colorist Ulises Arreola adds in some nice little details, like the red glow around Deadman, that really compliment Janin's work.

Milligan promised that this series would be emotionally dark, and it's this issue that's really given an idea of what that will mean. At times, some of the series main characters feel downright unlikable, but their actions still ring true to me. What really makes their behavior work for me is that it feels like a natural result of the situation that they're in, not jerkishness for the sake of angst. Even when they're not facing the incredibly powerful Enchantress, it doesn't look like the Dark crew will have an easy go of it, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Milligan takes some of these characters in the issues to come.

While I've already recommended this title to fans of Vertigo and DC's magic cast of characters, I'd also suggest that Dawn Granger fans give this a try. I think her portrayal here is much stronger than it is in Hawk and Dove, and it looks like she's going to be sticking around for a good long while. Justice League Dark remains a solid supernatural title with beautiful art. It doesn't quite feel like a team book yet, but I'm sure it will soon, and I look forward to seeing the adventures that this motley crew will have. This remains one of my favorite DCnU titles, and I can't wait for issue 3, witch burning or not.

By Marceline with 5 comments

Review: The Flash #2

The concept of The Flash is a criminally underrated one. I think that the concept of a speedster is so simple that people underestimate their powers and don't really think about what being able to move that fast means. If you are one of these people, you need to read The Flash #2. This issue doesn't spend a lot of time explaining the speed force(thought we do learn a little), or feature big, epic fight scenes (though there is some nice action). What it does do is demonstrate how awesome The Flash can be in simple, subtle ways. Manapul has always been great at showcasing speed, but here, he does something a little different and lets the reader see the way The Flash can see the world when he's standing still. The look of pure joy on Barry's face when he puts everything together in his head and realizes what he can do is wonderful, and I was smiling right along with him.

This issue also continues the story of many Manuels. There's nothing wrong with this plot, and if it was in another comic, I might've been really involved in it, but right now, I think it's getting overshadowed by the sheer visual spectacle of this comic. When I reached the very cool cliffhanger ending, my first thought wasn't about what people are trying to keep Barry from finding, but about how great the panel looked. The story in Flash is a perfectly good one, but I think it's always going to be overpowered by the impressiveness of the book's art. Batwoman managed to get to a place where the storyline does as much to draw readers in as its jawdropping art does, and over time, I hope The Flash will get there too.

The characters, however, are something I'm really invested in. I want to see how the charismatic Manuel Barry knew in his youth wound up the way he did. I want to see Barry keep experimenting with his powers Love triangles frequently annoy me, but I'm actually really enjoying the one here. I think that's largely because both Iris and Patty are likable and have good chemistry with Barry, and there are no silly misunderstandings or people getting screwed over. Normally, I dislike undoing relationships, but it really weeks for me here. I don't think Barry and Iris ever had much of a courtship in comics, and they were married back in the 60's. With Barry dead for decades, modern readers haven't gotten to see much of the two of them together, and I didn't particularly care about the couple when Barry came back. I'm pretty certain that a Barry/Iris pairing is still the endgame, and I'm glad I now have a chance to enjoy the build-up.

There were a few lines from Barry that felt overly explanatory, but the back and forth between characters is another one of the issue's strong points. The dialogue feels natural, but there's also an interesting sort of rhythm to it that makes it very readable. I like these characters enough that I occasionally wish we'd heard a little more from them, but at the same time, I appreciate that Manapul and Buccellato held back a little and sometimes just let the panels speak for themselves. No one here talks just for the sake of talking, and I admire the restraint of any writing team that can resist going for goofy jokes when they have a superhero standing in the mud alongside pigs.

Somehow, Manapul's art is even more beautiful than it was the month before. The visual storyline here is practically peerless, and I don't think there's ever been a better feature for Manapul's style than the little boxes he uses to illustrate "Flash sigh" to readers. I keep picking up the book and looking at the pages over and over- there's way too much to appreciate here to read this comic only once. Manapul's watercolor heavy technique is really unusual, and it's a testament to Brian Buccellato's talent that his colors work with it so well. Manapul's uncolored pages are gorgeous, and I think it takes some real skill to alter them without taking away from any of their beauty. The two of them are a brilliant team in every respect, and I hope they keep on working together for a long time.

I've seen a lot of lamenting about the lack of titles to give younger readers, so I really want to take the time to suggest this book to anyone who's trying to find a good comic to give a kid. The Flash is a light, fun title that should be appropriate for kids old enough to have outgrown Tiny Titans. One of the most important things a story can do is encourage children to use their own imaginations, and I think The Flash does that in spades. I'm pretty far removed from my own childhood, and as I put down this book I couldn't stop trying to picture the world the way The Flash does. It's a great introduction to one of DC's greatest superheroes, and giving it to kids while they're young will assure the next generation never doubts the awesomeness of a speedster.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Batman Odyssey #1

When Batman: Odyssey was originally announced back in 2010, I was pretty excited. I'm a huge fan of 70's era Batman (it's the source of many Batman: the Animated Series stories), and Adams was a big part of that. I was looking forward to some classic, throwback stories that focused on Batman's most iconic villains. What I got was something else entirely. In Odyssey, characters hurl insults like "your death, jelly roll", and a shirtless Bruce Wayne regales us with tales while eating raw eggs and a banana. Characters suddenly appear on panel and start having conversations about events we've never seen, and Batman himself randomly tries to beat Riddler impersonators to death in front of Commissioner Gordon because he thinks may have killed a kid. Don't worry, folks, Gordon promises to club that costumed murderer if he has to.

This time around, I was still looking forward to Batman: Odyssey, but for a very different reason. I couldn't wait for more bizarre dialogue and crazy Batman, and the new issue of Odyssey didn't disappoint. From the looks of it, this is actually the intended 7th issue of the series, held back and renumbered for the sake of the relaunch. I'd say something about it being inaccessible to new readers, but when it comes to Odyssey, every issue is as delightfully incomprehensible as the one before. Not being able to understand what's going on is part of its charm.

I love my K-Cup brewer too, Batman.

When the story opened on Bruce Wayne offering me a cup of coffee, I knew this was going to be good. He informs me that the coffee is from a coffee machine brewer and that I should lobby for my office to get one. Even better. Sure, he may actually be giving that coffee to a mystery acquaintance, who can't believe it's a machine, but in the world of Batman: Odyssey, Bruce Wayne is always talking to me. In a rare moment of clarity, Wayne actually seems to understand that he's completely insane. But the moment is all too brief, and soon we return to the crazy ramblings I've become accustomed to. Wayne says that there's a point to all this, but before we can be filled in, we're transported to Arkham Asylum.

These Arkham inmates are classy and/or British and say things like "Solid as the queen's rump. Time for a spot of tea." Because that's what classy British folks do. Soon, an Asian man appears to insult their lockmaking and call them "odorous animals of decadence" and does things that are un-scientific. I'm not being snarky, it says so right in the comic:

See?

Suddenly, Penguin and Riddler appear. Penguin is the one telling riddles, but since this is probably a fake Penguin and fake Riddler I'm not terribly concerned. Plus, before we can get to the bottom of this, we're taken to a splash page of folks riding giant bats and dinosaurs, and I'm willing to forgive just about anything if there are dinosaurs involved. And then Batman plays rodeo with a dinosaur named tiny and I am incredibly grateful this comic exists. Alas, the moment is over all to soon, and we're taken to a man telling Alfred that he's a font. I hope he's Helvetica. Robin appears, and admits that even he doesn't know what's going on. Sometimes I think Batman: Odyssey is the greatest work of metafiction the comics world has ever seen, and I'm just not smart enough to understand it.

The comic actually does reveal who a few of the characters that have been cropping up throughout the series are before ending on another dinosaur laden splash page. Oh Neal Adams, you know just how to lure me back. At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if half the cast was replaced by kittens for the next issue. In Odyssey, the sight of Bruce Wayne's chest hair is the only thing you can really count on. Still, I'm hoping for more Batman/dinosaur acrobatics in spite of myself.

Gravity?!? Yeah, gravity.

Neal Adam's art here is different than what you might expect. There's something sketchier, looser, and very kinetic about it. His facial expressions can get a bit wonky, but it's honestly some pretty nice art. I like the messiness mixed in with Adams' more traditional style. Some of the panels are slightly off-kilter in a way you might not notice if you weren't paying close attention. It's a perfect fit for the incoherent feel of the comic, and would work well even on a book that did make sense. Bill Sienkiewicz is one of several inkers working on this book, and he and Adams, as always, make a great team. There's a great team of colorists here, including Moose Bauman, and it all comes together to create a very interesting looking book.

METAFICTION!

If you're just looking to sit down with a solid Batman story, don't read Batman: Odyssey. Try Scott Snyder's work on the main Batman book, or check out some of the classic stories Neal Adams did with Denny O'Neil, like Half an Evil, Night of the Reaper, and Vow From the Grave. But if you're like me, if you like watching those terrible rip-offs of popular movies that they always have on Netflix, if there are few things you enjoy more than a good episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000- give Batman: Odyssey a look. Once I gave up trying to make sense of this comic, it became an absolute blast to read, and I have fun with every crazy issue. Batman: Odyssey is the ultimate b-movie of comic books, and I'm thrilled it's still around.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Batman #2

Batman #1 was the sort of comic that made me feel lucky to be a Batman fan. Batman's been the star of so many terrific stories, and great stories continue to be told with the character month after month. He's been written by some of the best writers ever to work in the business, like Grant Morrison and Alan Moore, and is currently being written by Scott Snyder, a fantastic new writer who I'm expecting will be considered a great in the years to come. So for me, whether or not Batman #2 would be good wasn't a question. It was naturally going to be awesome. The only question was how awesome it would be.

Now that I've had a chance to enjoy the comic, I can report that the answer is "pretty darn awesome". This was hands down my favorite comic of the week, and features an action scene that I'm mentally filing away in my "why I love Batman" folder. The comic was wonderfully paced and built on the many mysteries introduced in the first issue. I read solicits, so I have some idea of where things are going next, but I imagine Snyder will still find many ways to intrigue me along the way. I'm very interested in the court of owls, but I'm even more intrigued by Lincoln March. I found the story he told Bruce to be genuinely touching, and I'm interested to see if he's sincere, or if he has a deeper connection to Gotham's dark history. The assassin's line about killing Waynes is one that should have the internet buzzing for a while.

The story and action are both terrific, but I'd  be remiss if I didn't talk about the book's characters. I love Gordon's portrayal here. I'm unclear as to how much of Gordon's willful ignorance about the identity of Batman has carried through here, but the relationship between him and Batman is great regardless. It was great seeing them perform the autopsy together. It's impressive to see how creepy Snyder manages to make Dick Grayson appear here. This is the character I think of as being the most emotionally stable member of the family, and Snyder obviously has a good handle on him. Most of the lines could be written off as red herrings, but I think there's something more going on here, and I can't wait to see what it is.

But Gotham remains the most significant supporting character in this tale. Bruce has come a long way, but I can still believe that he thinks of the city he protects as one of his closest friends. Bruce has spent much of his life afraid to trust anyone, but as vile as Gotham can be, the city is something he feels he truly understands. He knows its strengths, knows how the city can help him. He knows what to expect from Gotham, and what he can do about it. Seeing that trust waiver will be fascinating, and makes me all the more excited to learn about Gotham's deepest and most well hidden secrets.

 Greg Capullo's work on this comic continues to stun me. His visual storytelling during the book's chase scene was pitch perfect, and I often felt like I could hear what was happening thanks to his dynamic art. There's a huge variety in facial expressions, even when it comes to random bad guys, and it does worlds for giving every character their own unique personality. Being able to do something like this is crucial in any Gotham based book, where half the major characters are sporting black hair and blue eyes. We see more of the great backgrounds and architecture we were treated to in issue #1, and his rendering of Gotham's guardians made a certain scene in the book feel that much more badass.

If you're a fan of Batman, then this is a comic you should be reading. It's a great showcase for all the major Batman characters, and it's just a great comic in general. It has wonderful art, compelling writing, and to me, is miles better than any other Batbook DC is publishing right now. While I get the definite sense that Snyder is building a bigger story arc here, both of the book's issues have really felt like they told their own complete story. The endings give you plenty to look forward to while you wait for the next month's issues, but the story you do get still feels satisfying and whole. Batman continues to be one of DC's best comics, and with talent lik

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Justice League #2

The first issue of Justice League already feels like it's an eternity away. It came out in a time when everyone still thought Aquaman was a loser, and when people were more concerned with Wonder Woman's lack of pants than her actual comic. The DC relaunch was a completely untested quantity. We didn't know if Scott Snyder could do justice to Swamp Thing, or if Grant Morrison could pull off his blue jeans wearing Superman. Justice League #1 was burdened with everyone expectations and all of their fears, and it's only with issue #2 that I feel like we can get a real sense of what this series might be like.

To my surprise, this issue did not pick up right where the last one left off, but instead opened on Barry Allen, who's been tasked with finding the identity of The Flash. Barry apparently has some history with Hal Jordan already, and they've fought together in the past (fighting Gorilla Grodd, which was a nice touch). Based on solicits, I was expecting this to be a Superman showcase, but for me, this did a better job of showing why the Flash is awesome than anyone else. He genuinely showed up Supes for a while there, even if he did manage to touch him in the end.

Cyborg was probably my favorite part of the last issue, and while I didn't find his scenes quite as striking here, writer Geoff Johns still does a solid job of building up the character. It looks like things are going to get much more interesting for Vic Stone come next issue, and I'm looking forward to seeing how his transformation into Cyborg is handled in the DCnU. Young Hal Jordan continues to entertain, but he also continues to be a major doofus:

Insert your favorite facepalm image here.

This isn't a point of major concern, since it's a flashback arc and Hal shouldn't even be in the league once we get back to the present, but I don't know that Hal acting like a dolt is going to be funny for all that much longer.

Kirby dots will always make me smile.

Jim Lee continues to do a terrific job with the book's art. These are some of the best constructs we've ever seen from Hal, and the level of detail in the book's splash pages is really impressive. I'm not crazy about the outfit he stuck Silas Stone in, but I am more than willing to excuse some awkward fashion choices when the rest of the book looks this good. There's an energy here that isn't always present in Lee's work, and I think he must really be having a blast working on this. I'm not sure how much lead time he has on the comic, but I hope it's enough to enjoy his work for at least a few more months. Anyone who's enjoyed Lee's work in the past should give this comic a look. I don't think of Lee as being someone who really emulates Jack Kirby, but it was great to see him use some of those elements here.

There's also some really interesting stuff included in the book's bonus content. We get more of the character design stuff we saw in the last issue, but we also get a really intriguing Amanda Waller/Steve Trevor interview.  I haven't enjoyed Waller in the new Suicide Squad at all, but her voice comes through clearly here, and there are some very nice hints of what might have to come. Most of the interview deals with Wonder Woman, but we also get an idea of what we might see in the upcoming Justice League back-up tale "The Curse of Shazam", and some references to a character I'm guessing we'll be seeing soon.

Overall, I enjoyed Justice League #2 more than the issue that came before. Not only was it easier to relax and enjoy the book on its own merits, but the comic was well paced and is really starting to feel like the team book it's supposed to be. I'm excited to see how Johns handles Wonder Woman next issue, and I'm really looking forward to the team's expanded roster. I've lost track of how many times Justice League #1 has been reprinted, but I imagine it's pretty easy to get a hold of now. If you decided to hold off on the series, now's not a bad time to give it a go. Those buying this for the throw down on the cover may be disappointed, but this story arc is off to a solid start, and things should only get better once the full team is assembled.

By Marceline with No comments